We split into groups for the first of today’s sessions. I was with the first group of defenders and we did some work on playing the ball out from the back and then headed indoors.

We all worked together though mostly I was teamed up with Vincent and he is one tough cookie to keep up with. He has inherited the German mentality form his time in Hamburg. He doesn’t like to lose at anything. If he does he gets a cob on.

They are all good training partners to have because they are the most committed to hard work that I have ever seen in the game.

As you all know, being in the gym is not my natural habitat but the other three love it. They can wipe the floor with me in what they can do in there.

Although I have a six-pack that might look great, my core is not as strong as it should be and that is what I am looking to improve.

Don’t get me wrong. I have pretty good strength but I need to sort the core out. It is quality to have those beasts around me pushing me on

...Micah Richards...

I was with Joleon yesterday too when he met NFL running back Adrian Peterson. He knows all about the sport, he is really keen on it.I am not really up on any other sports like he is. I like watching basketball but I’m no expert.

We have some real sporting nerds in our squad. Joleon and James Milner are the biggest ones but Vincent is pretty good too and Harty isn’t bad either.

I have got to say the atmosphere around the camp is absolutely spot on this pre-season. It was decent last year but it is ten times better this summer. Maybe it is down to winning the FA Cup and the increased confidence of being in the Champions League.

The coaches are joining in the banter – David Platt and me were ribbing each other this morning about running. I told him he never used to do any!

I think people are just enjoying the environment in LA and given what I said earlier perhaps I should nip down to Muscle Beach and see how it’s done down there.

We are hoping to get another afternoon off this week sometime but I will keep you all informed. See you later.